• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Splenic Mass of Masked Shrews, Sorex cinereus, in Relation to Body Mass, Sex, Age, Day of the Year, and Bladder Nematode, Liniscus (=Capillaria) maseri, Infection
  • Contributor: Cowan, Krystyna M.; Shutler, Dave; Herman, Thomas B.; Stewart, Donald T.
  • imprint: American Society of Parasitologists, 2009
  • Published in: The Journal of Parasitology, 95 (2009) 1, Seite 228-230
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
  • Keywords: Research Notes
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <p>The spleen is an important organ of vertebrates. Splenic mass can change in response to a variety of factors. We tested whether splenic mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, was related to sex, age, time of the year, or intensity of bladder nematode (Liniscus [=Capillaria] maseri) infection, after controlling for host body mass. For females, body mass was a strong predictor of splenic mass. For males, splenic masses were greater later in the year and in more heavily infected males. The latter appeared to represent a threshold response wherein only the most heavily infected individuals had enlarged spleens.</p>